There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Quince and Orange Blossom Crisp. Its old-world charm, paired with a fragrance that fills the kitchen with a honeyed floral scent, makes it a fruit unlike any other. When baked, its naturally tart flavor mellows into something comforting and rich, especially when paired with the delicate sweetness of orange blossom.
This crisp brings together that timeless quality of quince with the light touch of citrus from orange blossom water. The combination is both familiar and unexpected. Where most crisps lean on the classic duo of apples and cinnamon, this one steps into new territory, offering a floral, citrusy twist that feels both elegant and down-to-earth. It’s the kind of dessert that invites conversation and a second helping.
Quince is often overlooked in modern kitchens, possibly because it needs a bit more love than other fruits. You can’t bite into it raw, and it takes time to soften through cooking. But that effort is well worth it. Once baked, quince develops a luxurious texture, somewhere between pear and apple, but with a flavor that’s deeper and more fragrant.
Orange blossom water adds just the right hint of brightness without overpowering the quince. It complements the fruit’s natural aroma and gives the dish a subtle complexity that makes it stand out. Paired with a buttery, golden crisp topping, it’s a balance of tart, sweet, floral, and crunchy that’s hard to resist.
This crisp is perfect for a slow afternoon dessert or a cozy dinner finale. It pairs beautifully with crème fraîche or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it’s just as lovely on its own, letting the fruit shine.
Whether you grew up with quince or are discovering it for the first time, this dish is a beautiful way to highlight its charm. With just a touch of floral citrus and a simple golden topping, it transforms into something warm, inviting, and just a bit magical. If you’re looking to try something that feels both comforting and a little new, this quince and orange blossom crisp is the way to go.

Ingredients
- 4 quinces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger ground
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp orange blossom water
- vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
- Peel, core, and slice the quinces. Place the quince slices in the greased baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the melted butter and orange blossom water to the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture is crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the quince slices.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the quinces are tender and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
- Enjoy!
Why do you need orange blossom water? Seems unnecessary! I just used plain water and it was fine.
Orange blossom water adds a unique flavor and aroma that plain water just can’t give. It’s a subtle touch that makes a difference! Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Terrible! Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out like mush. Threw it all away. Never again!
This was absolutely delicious! The combination of quinces and orange blossom water is so unique. My family loved it!
I totally agree! The quinces with orange blossom water is a game changer. I’m so glad your family enjoyed it too!
This crisp was delightful! The orange blossom water gave it such a unique flavor. I never cooked with quinces before, but I am a believer now!
This is gonna be a hit at family dinners! Easy to make and smells amazing while baking. Thank you!
I didn’t have quinces, so I used apples instead. Still turned out great! 😄
Great substitute! Apple crisp is a classic too. 😋
But like, quinces are totally different. Are you sure it turned out great? 🤔
Not a fan. I thought the quinces were too tart and the overall flavor was off. Maybe I did something wrong?
Very easy recipe! I just winged it without measuring and it still tasted great. This will be my go-to dessert now.
That’s awesome! I love when recipes are forgiving. Can’t wait to try it myself! 😊
Sounds easy, but I don’t think quinces are that common around here. Can I use apples instead? 🤔
Quick question, can I just use apples instead? I’ve never heard of orange blossom water either, do I really need it?
Using apples is totally fine! They’ll give a different taste, but it’s a good alternative. Orange blossom water adds a unique floral note, but it’s not mandatory. Just experiment and have fun with it!
Wow, what a treat! This crisp blew me away. I’m not even a baker and it turned out perfect. Thanks for sharing!
I had no idea what quinces were until this. They are hard to find! But it was worth the hunt, this crisp is delicious.
Gonna try this minus the butter, I’m on a diet. Hope it doesn’t ruin it too much.
This recipe is simply delightful! The combo of quince and orange blossom is amazing. I served it with ice cream, and everyone loved it.
I totally agree! The quince and orange blossom combo is underrated. Ice cream on top sounds delish! 😍
I don’t know about quince… isn’t that kinda rare? Can you really find that in regular stores? Sounds fancy.
I can’t believe I found a recipe for quince, never knew! Just got some from the farmer’s market and can’t wait to make this!
What even is quince? Is it like an apple? I’m skeptical here but will give it a try since it looks nice.
Quince is actually super delicious! It’s like a mix between an apple and a pear but a bit more tart. You’ll love it!
I dunno, it sounds kinda weird. Is it really worth the hassle? Just stick to apples, they’re way easier.
Yum! Just made this and served it with ice cream. My kids loved it! Definitely going to make it again.
I tried this but used pears instead of quinces. It was ok, but I think quinces are better. Gonna give it another shot with the right fruit next time.
Uhh, I dunno about orange blossom water. Sounds kinda weird to me. Can I just use vanilla extract?
I think if you really don’t like it, use vanilla! It will taste different but still good. Just give it a try!
So good, yum! 🍏🍦
This sounds amazing! I love using quinces in desserts. Can’t wait to try it! 🍐🎉
Quinces? Eww, don’t think I’d like that. I’ll stick to apples, much better. 🤷♂️
Not a fan, honestly. The quinces were too hard even after baking for 45 mins. Maybe I did something wrong??
I made this for my family but they didn’t like it. Said it was too sweet. Maybe if I cut down on sugar it could work better?
Delish! But next time I think I might add nuts for a crunch. Who doesn’t love nuts, right?